I have 2 austrailian shepherds who are starting to bite anyone who comes into my house. What should I do?!?

Question

This problem is getting really bad. I'm worried that if they bite someone we don't know well enough, then we might nlose our dogs. They're brother and sister, and they're almost 3 years old. Plea

Answer 1

you need to seriously consider getting outside assistance for your dogs - your biggest concern should not be that you might loose the dogs, but hurting someone. you could be sued and loose everything. Hope you have good homeowners insurance. check with your local vet clinic for behavior classes

Answer 2

Socialization. Take them around people, strangers, other dogs. He will get used to it and not be mean at all. Have people that the dog does not know come to your house and make him do his tricks. Make sure you trust the person though or else he will feel uneasy. Everyone that walks in for the first while should come in make the dog sit and then give him a good petting.
Teach them who is the boss. The best way is pinning. Have everyone in your house do this regularly and a couple of people that do not live with you. Lay down on the floor and have the dog lay beside you. make sure that the majority of your body is higher then the dog and on top of him. Do this until he makes a big sigh like he has given up. If you have a dominant dog in the beginning this will take you anywhere from half an hour to an hour and as he gets better should get down to five minutes. Do this daily until he knows you are the boss. This makes a very submissive dog

Answer 3

Take the dogs out one at a time on walks. Keep them on leash with a training collar. When they threaten someone, give a SHARP jerk and yell "NO!" They will associate threatening a person with a correction if you do it right then and there.

If they even growl when meeting a new person, correct them. They will know that you mean business.

I also suggest you get kennels for the dogs. If they are getting over protective about the house, kennel them before letting the visitor in. After they've settled down, let ONE dog out at a time. You can't control both. When one dog has met the visitor and accepted your verdict that this person is ok, you can let the other dog out. If either makes a hostile move, it's back in the kennels.

Answer 4

I agree that socialization is the best way to calm them down. They need to see different people. I've been in PetsMart and people will bring their dogs in and ask my husband or myself to pet them and all that stuff.

Also, are they sterilized? If they aren't that can be a big part of the problem.

I have a black tri female who's 2 years old. She can get a little cranky at times and I have to take her down a notch. That's the nature of some Aussies.

You can always take her to a trainer who's experienced with aggressive dogs.

Good luck! I hope you utilize all the things we are telling you to do before you even think about putting the dogs down.

Answer 5

I think you should get outside advice too. We just got a lab 2 months ago and I have been watching The Dog Whisperer. I think he is really good. I think the dogs are possibly dominate and think they are boss rather than you being the boss. Does that make sense? There are ways to teach the dogs they are not the boss, but it is hard to explain in a message. This is just a guess.

Answer 6

Get them into an obedience class! NOT a furbaby class like they have at Petsmart, but at a kennel or obedience club where they have experience with aggression.

If they bite someone you can be sued, and they could be euthanized. Littermates are not a good idea unless you are a very experienced dog owner.

Answer 7

Do your aussies have an energy outlet? These are working dogs, and they need a job to do, such as herding, long runs, agility, retrieving, and so on. If they are so bored and pent up, they will release their energy and frustrations in any way they can think of. It can be in aggression, destruction of your home, and other annoying behaviors. I work with aussie rescue and we never place an aussie in a home unless the prospective owners truly understand the breed and that they need a job to do. I am betting this is your problem. Give them a job, get them in to herding, let them compete in agility. Otherwise, they will continue to show aggression and react negatively. If one of them barks or shows extreme aggression, you will only be in a world of hurt.

Answer 8

I can think of a couple solutions. One is to scold them fiercely and apologize to the person they bit. Another would be to respond to their biting by grabbing their bottom jaw right behind the canines. I know that sounds werid, but it worked on my friend's German Shepard. My last resort would be the muzzle, though I really don't like the idea of preventing any animal from opening it's mouth.

Answer 9

It sounds like they can not be trusted with guests in the house. I would cage them before I answered the door to anyone. Unfortunately now that they have established a pattern, it will be difficult to change it....have you thought about those shock collars?...Not to be mean, but it would be sad to lose them I am sure...and that is what is coming if you can't get it under control.

Answer 10

through fact this in all fairness new habit for her, i might seek for scientific scientific care. that is a scientific situation which comprise a ideas mass that is inflicting this aggressiveness. Or she must be extremely protecting being tied up and feeling protective of "her" %.. I worry that her overprotective must be risky on your toddler's acquaintances that could come over. it is puzzling to declare with out greater advice and doubtless a canine behaviorist can help.